Drummer Chad Szeliga’s roots lie in jazz and funk, yet he still excels as the drummer of the riff-heavy rock band, Breaking Benjamin. “Some jazz players see rock as some downbeat, devil-worshipping thing,” he says. “But playing rock has brought more attitude and confidence to my drumming.”

Early in 2005, Breaking Benjamin parted ways with original drummer Jeremy Hummel and recruited Cleveland-based Szeliga, whom theyÂ’d encountered on the road playing with his former band Sw1tched.

Szeliga is a dedicated craftsman. When Sw1tched shut down, he took a gig playing Top 40 at clubs on Lake Erie. “Playing eight hours a day really got my chops up,” he says. “And I still try to practice five hours a day. I work on rudiments, playing time, trading fours and eights with myself. Some days I take off the toms and try to make everything sound great just using rides and hi-hat.”

Yet Szeliga isn’t a busy, hyper-technical player. He says, “One of the things that makes a mature drummer is knowing when it’s time to do your tricks and when it’s time to just play. When a rock guitarist is playing a heavy riff, you should know not to do a Dennis Chambers or Carter Beauford lick. You’ve got to keep it straight in the pocket and let the guitar player breathe.”

Szeliga has advice for drummers who find themselves suddenly inducted into a successful group: “Being a hired gun can be hard. If you don’t do your job, you will be replaced instantly. But if you work hard and show the band you’re on your game, it’s a great opportunity. But you have to be hungry. You have to practice and show that you’re dedicated. Go to the extreme. If the drummer before you played perfectly but had bad stage presence, then play even more perfectly and have great stage presence. Don’t just do your job and get paid. If you love music, do it 101%.”

His grounded personality, and drive to help up and coming drummers make it in the music industry, is what sets him apart from so many. His deep rooted training in the art, makes him as versatile as it gets out there. That may be why Chad is often referred to as one of the worldÂ’s greatest in his craft.

Chad Szeliga played drums in nu-metal outfit Switched (also known as Sw1tched).

He joined Breaking Benjamin as a session drummer, following former Hed P.E. skinsman BC (real name: Ben Vaught). With this latter band Chad Szeliga toured across the US in October 2005.

In 2006 Chad Szeliga decided to focus on Breaking Benjamin. Drummer Angel was recruited as his replacement.

Chad stayed with Breaking Benjamin until 2013 and was followed up by Shaun Foist.

A drummer as diverse as the rhythms he plays, Chad Szeliga is one of the most unique and down to earth musicians in the world of music. Born in Elryia, Ohio, Chad's dad and grandfather started him drumming at the early age of three. His love of percussion fueled his determination to perfect his craft, and years later he joined his first band, Switched, in 2000.


When the well known rock band Breaking Benjamin was looking for a new drummer in 2005, Chad was so confident in his ability, that he sent in the only VHS tape as his audition (Ben Burnley had to borrow a VCR to view the tape). Chad's drumming stood out above the rest and he was immediately hired to join the band. His infectious talent and humble attitude catapulted him into instant stardom. He stayed with the band until their hiatus in 2010.

In 2011 Chad joined LA's Hourcast as their fill-in drummer for the Inked Magazine Tour. He played drums for their Crystal Bowersox record and also joined their 2013-2014 Bonzo Bash tour with Brian Tichy.

In September of 2011 Chad replaced Black Label Society's drummer Mike Froedge, playing several tours with them including Gigantour. In early 2014 Chad left BLS to join Creed's Scott Stapp. Chad joined Scott on the road for their 2014 Proof of Life worldwide tour. He toured with them for several months. Since his gig with Scott ended, Chad has other projects in the works and continues his love of teaching kids to learn the drums via Skype.

Playing drums is more than a way to earn a living to Chad. It's his passion. He practices 8+ hours a day, always trying to improve what most of us would consider perfection already. He has dedicated himself to not only playing the best he can for his fans, but to help other aspiring drummers learn the craft. In addition to offering drumming lessons via Skype, Chad currently has a DVD available called All Day Drumming, sponsored by the Drum Channel.